Paris: The Novel

This is not a travel book even though the title might have misled you. This is a novel written by Edward Rutherfurd. I have read novels from James Michener before. So when I heard Edward Rutherfurd is a Michener disciple, I was interested. James Michener is known for choosing a place and writing a story which spans centuries and generations. In this book, Edward Rutherfurd uses the same principles as Michener to tell the rich history of the city of lights. Edward Rutherfurd tells the story of Paris from 13th century to the second half of 20th century, a decade after the WWII. How does Rutherfurd accomplishes this difficult task in such a way he has the reader hooked to the beginning to the end? He accomplishes this by two techniques. The first one is to weave the story around 4-5 families whose lives are intertwined through the evolving time and the turbulence associated with these times. The second technique is to tell the story in a non-linear fashion.By setting the story against 4-5 families, Edward Rutherfurd explores all the possible complexities which occur in human relationships. The complexities revolve around the French theme of liberté, égalité et fraternité. Using this theme, the author explores not only class inequality, bigotry and prejudices through the ages but also the struggle of the various members of the families to overcome these obstacles. The chasm which has deepened the ages is finally forgotten and a brotherhood formed between various families against the occupying forces during the concluding chapters set in the 20th century. If this is not melodrama at the best, then what is? The second technique to jump between ages which means you might be reading what is happening in the 19th century and the author abruptly switches to 13th century when the next chapter begins. This is very effective to build suspense and capture attention. Even though the reader is confused, he is still eagerly looking forward to the next chapter. He desperately wants the the author to connect the dots. This also forces the reader to be very attentive while reading.A few months back, I read Graham Robb's Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris. You may find similarities between these two books. If you love Paris, these two books should be in your reading list. Both these books explore Paris through centuries. In Graham Robb's Parisians, the author tries to tell the story of Paris by putting himself into the shoes of many historic figures. In this book, Edward Rutherford spins a story where records the actual history of the city with fictional characters interacting with the historical figures. The streets which are existing today in Paris comes alive in both the books. If you have walked through Paris, then you inadvertently becomes a part of this novel.This is recommended if you like to read an epic. This is recommended if you love Paris.

From today’s master of epic storytelling comes a novel that captures Paris in all of its contradictory moods: fiery passion and suave calm, loyalty and rebellion, peace and war, hope and despair, light and dark. With his meticulous research and imaginative prose, Rutherford takes the reader on a journey that spans centuries, tying together the histories of several families as they make their impressions on the very heart of Paris. We watch in fascination as Thomas Gascon helps to build the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Our hearts ache with Jacob as he watches his daughter escape with her forbidden lover. We listen with blushing cheeks to the tales that come out of the Moulin Rouge; we laugh along with Marie when she is introduced to the incomparable Ernest Hemingway. And we stand tall with Charlie as he gives his all to protect his beloved city. All that Paris is - all that it is imagined to be - is captured here in these spellbinding pages.In all honesty, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this novel when I first started reading it. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Rutherford’s works for so long that I expect them to grab hold of me from the very beginning and hold me captive until their thrilling end. This novel, however, with its jumping narrative (as opposed to the fluid shift through time that he has employed previously) felt broken and disorienting. My initial reactions to the characters, too, were not as positive as they have been in the past. However, as I went further and further into the novel, I found myself drawn in despite my reservations. By the middle of the book, I was once again a happy captive, anxious to get to the end and hoping for the best for all of my favorite characters. As in life, the resolution did not unfold exactly as I had hoped it would, but it was satisfying nonetheless. Though I would certainly recommend other Rutherford books to first time readers (my favorites are the Ireland and London books), this tome is still one that should not be overlooked - especially by armchair travelers like me!!With his unrivaled blend of impeccable research and narrative verve, Rutherfurd weaves an extraordinary narrative tapestry that captures all the glory of Paris. More richly detailed, more thrilling, and more romantic then anything Rutherfurd has written before, Paris: The Novel wonderfully illuminates hundreds of years in the City of Light and Love and brings the sights, scents, and tastes of Paris to sumptuous life.

This book is a very long read but worth every minute. It combines history, locations and personalities all wrapped into one beautiful read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite being a little overwhelmed by the amount of pages.

I loved this book. Especially since I had just returned returned from a trip to Paris. My only complaint is the bouncing back and forth from one century to another. I would have preferred to have it start in the past and work forward. It was confusing and after a while I realized I could read the older parts in sequence and then the newer. Duh! But I loved the characters, the excitement, the history. All in all I loved the book and would recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.